It’s very difficult to make Nigerians laugh – Gbagaun Muncher

Timilehin Adejokun, popularly known as Gbagaun Muncher, coined his name from his old habit of using an application called Screen Muncher to capture people’s grammatical errors on social media. He tells TIMILEYIN AKINKAHUNSI about how he has been able to amass followership on Instagram

How would you describe your journey in the delivery of comedy skits?

I started two years ago; it wasn’t planned. I was at home and I decided to make the best use of my time. I just thought of doing a video to see the other side of me; I was sceptical about uploading my first video because a lot of people were used to seeing me as a serious person. Before I uploaded it, I asked some people to tell me their opinions about the video; they told me it was good enough. I uploaded the video and the acceptance was good.

I opened my Instagram account in 2012 but it was for my personal use. I used to be very active on Twitter before I left the platform. I used to be anonymous on Twitter. I started uploading videos on Instagram in 2016.

Following the launch of my first video, I uploaded a series of videos on Instagram. After this, I stayed away for about nine months because I was busy with some other things. My fans became worried about my absence, so I had to start shooting more videos and uploading them.

Which of your skits made you famous?

That would be when I did a skit about children failing their Senior School Certificate Examination in an African home. The skit was about how parents treat children who fail examinations. It painted the picture of how African parents would always see everything wrong with the actions of a child that has just failed their examination. I know the stigma that comes with failure in an African home; the content of the video was very relatable.

Where did you get the name Gbagaun Muncher from?

I used to screen munch tweets that had grammatical errors in them, so when I wanted to open my Instagram page, my friends suggested the name to me.

Why were you doing that? Was that because you felt you were an eloquent speaker of English?

I just like it when people speak and write well. I feel English language is not difficult. I was just doing it for fun.

You have over 100,000 followers on Instagram, how have you been able to keep them interested in your page?

I think my content is unique because I try to make sure that every video I upload is good. Also when I started, some social media influencers helped me repost my videos, so I was able to gain some followers through their support.

Were you ever discouraged at some point when you started?

I wasn’t discouraged because I loved what I was doing.

Did you expect that you would be this popular?

I didn’t expect that I would be famous; I always preferred to be behind the scene, so I never expected it.

Have you ever considered closing your Instagram page?

No, and I don’t pray for it to ever happen.

Besides your video skits, do you have a day job?

Yes, I am an IT consultant and a brand specialist.

Some of your skits are parodies of pastors, why is that?

I used to do stage plays; I think that played a role in influencing my videos about the church. The inspiration just came one day and I put it into action.

Can you share some weird experiences you’ve had online?

I have had issues with people who have anonymous social media accounts dedicated to trolling others.

What inspires the content of your skits?

I always keep my eyes and mind open, I always try to make sense of everything around me. Once I think I can make sense of something, I scribble it down and shoot a video about it.

How much does it cost you to shoot a skit?

Relatively, I think it is easy to create video content with a phone than doing the proper film-making. It is easy for me because I do everything by myself. From day one, it has always been me doing everything. Sometimes I use my phone or a camera.

You are the second child of your parents, what kind of child were you when you were younger?

I was very quiet and inquisitive. For example, I was always trying to see what made a singing toy to be able to sing.

How do your parents react to your skits?

They were surprised when they saw my videos. My sisters were the only ones who knew about what I was doing at the initial stage. My sisters encouraged me. I critique myself a lot, so I was eager to see people’s comments about my videos to know how well I was doing.

How much do you spend on data monthly?

I spend between N18, 000 and N20,000. I started making money from my page right from when I had about 10,000 followers.

Were you frustrated at any point?

No.

How often do you encounter your fans in real life?

Anytime I am in a public place, they come to take pictures and record videos with me. Sometimes, they try to mimic me.

What are some of the things you’ve heard from them about your skits?

There was a time I put up a video and someone sent me a message that my video lifted his spirit when he was down. I always get similar comments. It warms my heart to see that my videos make people laugh because it is very difficult to make Nigerians laugh.

Why do you think it is difficult to make Nigerians laugh?

Nigerians are always angry because of the economy and bad leadership. People have personal issues and to make their anger subside, I feel it is a lot of work. That is why I always appreciate it when people tell me my videos make them laugh. I feel comedy distracts Nigerians from their problems and keeps them sane.

You are a Nigerian, so is it difficult to make you laugh?

I don’t think so because I am always in a cheerful mood. Even if something is not funny, I can still find a way to laugh about it.

Has any of your posts got you into trouble?

There was one of my videos that people did not like.

What was it about?

It was a video about a governor. I think the indigenes of the state were angry about it; they took it personal. Nonetheless, I didn’t take it down because it wasn’t enough reason for me to do that.

What inspires you to crack dry jokes every Wednesday?

I play with words a lot; it is my brand signature.

Do you plan to expand your social media platform?

I still have a very great love for film-making. I plan to become more involved in movies, as an independent filmmaker.

In some of your videos, you act as a mother and a father, are you imitating your parents?

No, I am not; those are some characters I created in my head from the typical setting of an African home. I get the female costumes from my sisters and my mother.

What kind of requests do you get from your female fans?

Some of them try to woo me but I hardly respond to their requests. I only respond to messages that are meaningful. If I mistakenly open any of such messages, I simply respond with a smiley. I feel there is no need for me to initiate something I am not interested in.

Are some of your skits from your personal experience?

None of them has to do with my personal experience; most of them are issues people can easily relate to.

Which of your social media platforms is the most vibrant?

It has to be Instagram because I concentrate more on it and have a reasonable number of followers there.

How do you deal with negative feedbacks from people?

I have a thick skin. However, sometimes I reply them with savage comments if necessary. Interestingly, some of my fans fight for me when they see a negative comment on my page. There was a time someone complained about male comedians dressing like females. My fans fought for me, which made me feel on top of the world because I didn’t have to do the fighting.

You’ve gained some form of fame from social media, how has this affected your social life?

Fame is very demanding; the best thing is to stay as real as possible. As much as I am trying to set a standard, I try not to cross my boundaries. It is safe not to care about what people say; it is better to be yourself than to succumb to pressure.

For example, if you don’t smoke or drink and you are in the midst of celebrities, you may be tempted to do those things. Those are the kinds of things I refer to as unnecessary demands. I do not let any of these demands make me go against my personal values.

Has your presence on social media opened doors for you?

Yes, I have been invited to dine with reputable people in the society, celebrities and politicians. Also, I receive gifts from my fans.

Has anyone tried to hack into your account?

There was a time I had issues with hacking, it made me a little worried. I can’t count the number of times people have tried to hack into my account. However, I knew those that were trying to hack into my account wanted to hold me to ransom. I make sure my password is not basic to avoid such occurrences.

Do you ever think you would still be popular without social media?

I would have been popular, but not now. It would have been through my passion – film-making.

Do you think social media is a viable way for youths to make money in Nigeria?

Yes, it is, provided the content is marketable. I have noticed that many people want to do comedy on social media but there are other contents they can look at.

Have you ever had any reason to block anyone on social media?

Yes, several times, when they misbehave. I block some people because they beg for favours too much on my social media platform.

What has been your happiest moment so far?

My happiest moments are when my videos go viral, I feel fulfilled and it makes me want to do more. It gives me some sort of push.

When you have to act like a mother, who does your make-up?

I do, it takes me more time to make up to look like a father than a mother because I have to create the beard and make it even.
For the role of a mother, once I wear female clothes, I already look like one.

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